Plans to launch a search for oil at a remote woodland location in countryside have been approved despite fierce opposition from conservationists.
The site is in Markwells Wood, north of Forestside near Chichester, 600m from the nearest home, and the oil to be sought is part of the same reservoir used by already operational wells at Singleton and Horndean.
Exploration company Northern Petrol
eum (GB) Ltd was today (Tuesday, May 13) given permission by West Sussex county planning committee to create an exploration site, including a drilling rig and an exploration well.
If the site goes into full production, the company is hoping to produce between 1m and 5m barrels of oil from it - the total for a North Sea rig can be up to 500m. Oil is currently selling at more than £60 a barrel.
The plans provoked objections because they will involve the loss of about a hectare of ancient woodland, claimed to be rich in wildlife.
Chichester District Council opposed the scheme on the grounds that it would damage the character of the Sussex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty.
Other objectors included the South Downs Joint Committee, which said a drilling rig would be an alien feature in the landscape.
The Woodland Trust strongly objected on the basis of a loss of ancient woodland.
But county council planning officers recommended approval, subject to a series of conditions. They said in a report that there was a 'clear and overriding need' for oil exploration.
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